GULF REGIONAL ADVISOR (CONSULTANCY CONTRACT)

The European Institute of Peace is looking for exceptional individuals who share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements.

We provide practical experience, technical expertise, and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support.

Based in Brussels and active in over a dozen countries, the European Institute of Peace is an independent organisation working collaboratively with European decision-makers, the parties to the conflict, and those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.

Our innovative approach to peace enables us to be agile, creative, and effective in everything we do, and these are key qualities we look for in our team members. See www.eip.org for more information

We are looking for a Gulf Regional Advisor to support the Engagement, Dialogue and Process Design Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Programme Manager for the Middle East and working in close coordination with relevant team members, the Gulf Regional Advisor & Coordinator will:

• Support the overall design and implementation of the Institute’s Gulf Regional Dialogue Project and provide advice to the Institute’s Middle East Programme at large;
• Monitor and analyse the political, diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian developments across the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region;
• Conduct consultations with relevant political actors from the region to support the design and implementation of the Gulf Dialogue Project;
• Provide timely analysis and bespoke advice – in the form of written briefs, notes, and oral updates – on political and security developments and trends; relevant stakeholders and organisations operating in the region; and on opportunities for the Institute’s engagement, particularly with regards to the Institute’s Gulf regional dialogue project;
• Support the programme team in building and maintaining key relationships with relevant regional stakeholders, including regional policymakers and diplomats, European Embassies in the region, think tanks, civil society actors, and participants in the Institute’s dialogue process;
• Strengthen and expand the Institute’s network in the Middle East/ Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region, exploring possible partnerships and raising the profile of the Institute in a strategic manner in coordination with the programme team;
• Help organise in-person and/or online meetings, seminars, or roundtables from the region; conduct and support missions of the Institute’s Europe-based staff in the region;
• Support the programme team’s fundraising efforts and donor relations, including by providing input for briefing notes or reports addressed to donors. Where useful and necessary, travel to capitals to provide in-person briefings and updates;
• Other tasks at the request of the Programme Manager or the Institute’s EDP Unit Director.

Profile

• University degree in political science, conflict resolution, international relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience, 3 of which in the field of political analysis, mediation, mediation-support, dialogue facilitation, or research into conflict dynamics and peace processes in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of the politics and international relations across the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region; of the subregional conflicts; and the geopolitical dynamics and developments regarding regional and international policymaking.
• An understanding of relevant EU policies and engagement and familiarity with the functions of and workings of the EU institutions would be advantageous.
• Ability to work well in a small team; ability to deliver under pressure and comply with tight deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently.
• Good communication and people skills.
• Perfect command of Arabic and English is necessary. A command of other languages – particularly Farsi and French – would be advantageous.
• It is preferred that the Gulf regional advisor & coordinator is based in the region.

The Institute offers

• Consultancy contract (for a maximum of 96 days) from 01/02/2023 to 31/12/2023.